Whitby Town hit top form in home 3-1 victory against Morpeth Town

Max Howells and Aaron Haswell gave Nathan Haslam's side a 2-0 lead before Stephen Walker added a third right on the stroke of half-time at the Towbar Express Stadium as the Blues' confident start to proceedings was rewarded, writes Liam Ryder.

After the break, Nic Bollado's strike preceded a stronger spell from the visits but they couldn't haul themselves back into the contest despite a red card for Harrison Beeden midway through the second half.

As an energetic opening gave way to a strong start for the hosts, Town looked to seize the upper hand.

Coleby Shepherd, lively as ever, drove forwards from left-back but couldn't hit the target from inside the area.

Haslam's side took the lead on the back of Morpeth's first real venture forwards. After Bland claimed Jack Foalle's cross from the right, he played an early ball forwards which Howells gratefully ran on to the end of.

With Daniel Lowson in the visitors’ goal stranded on the edge of his box, Howells took the ball around the Highwaymen's gloveman before firing into an empty net.

Walker - who would later get his name on the scoresheet - then fired wide as the hosts kept the pressure on.

Aside from Bollado's hopeful effort which Shane Bland saved with ease, Morpeth offered little in the final third, and Whitby looked likelier to get the next goal.

When Haswell and Connor Smith were both denied by defensive blocks, it looked as if Whitby could have been frustrated in front of goal once more, as has been a theme in recent weeks, particularly on home soil.

Jacob Gratton went for goal with a free-kick from distance, and, after a deflection, Lowson made a strong reaction save to palm the ball away from goal before Walker was denied.

But five minutes later, the Blues did deservedly double their lead to make it 2-0.

The ball was only partially cleared to Haswell following more Whitby pressure and he took a touch before drilling the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the area, beyond Lowson who was unsighted.

Based on the first half performance, the score could have been anything the Blues wanted it to be and they went further ahead in stoppage time.

Walker raced on to a neat through ball before, like Howells earlier on, rounding Lowson and virtually walking the ball across the line.

After the restart, Howells thought he had added a fourth from close range, but he was denied by an impressive save from Lowson who reacted well to tip the ball over the bar.

The game began to turn a little when Bollado pulled a goal back for the visitors in 65 minutes.

After Vinnie Steels got away down the right wing, he cut the ball back for Bollado who fired home on the turn to reduce the deficit.

Ten minutes later, Morpeth's hopes may have been increased when Beeden saw red on the back of an error which he tried to redeem himself for.

But against sub Andrew Johnson, he was always second favourite and was dismissed for being the last man.

The introduction of Ben Beals from the bench allowed Haslam to keep his side's defensive shape as Whitby saw the game out well.

They could have increased their advantage through the pacey Howells on the counter-attack, or via Priestley Griffiths' free-kick, but both were denied.